Tag: responsiveness

Is it important to you that someone with whom you have a personal or business connection is “quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically”?

It may seem out of line with values such as integrity, respect, honesty and responsibility but responsiveness is a tremendously important value that seems to be slipping away from many in both the personal and business world. Responsiveness may be corroding, in part, because of the technology that on the surface seems to help us stay better connected. However, the blame cannot be all technology’s because responsiveness is a human value not an algorithm.

We all get emails, texts and (sometimes) letters and phone calls daily. They can pile up, especially if you’re running a business or a school or an organization large or small. However, not responding to these messages sends a message whether you intend it to or not.

“If someone walked up to you and asked you a question, would you turn around and walk away from them without responding? Would you ever do that to someone?” asked Shana Rossi, director of admissions at Padua Academy and consultant with Partners in Mission. Yet, not responding to emails, texts and phone calls does essentially that. It turns around and walks away from someone without a word.

This America Life aired this podcast last year but I could listen to it again and again. In fact, I had a group of junior high students listen to it when teaching a lesson on podcasts. I was just going to let them hear a few minutes but they were mesmerized. They loved it and I think you will too. Listen here .

Barbara Esteves-Moore is now writing a new column on teen parenting (not because she knows everything about teen parenting but because she has lots of questions!) for Time Out and Home Page Media. Read it here .

Here is a Op-Doc from the NYTimes on Oct. 10, 2017 -- watch instead of reading:
"I have a message for you"

I grew up on New Orleans, so anytime I hear the music of Fats Domino, I'm transported. This is a great tribute and some great piano, too.
Read it here .